Ankle support for boots



NOV. 14, 1944. .M GLHUESTQN 2,362,824

ANKLE SUPPORT FOR-BOOTS Filed Feb. 24, 1944 the leg opening of theupper.

*Patented Nev. 14, 1944 UNITED sTAT Eps My invention relates toimprovements in ankle supports and has for its primary object the vnovelconstruction and arrangement of a stiffener exteriorly applied to theback of a boot for supporting or bracing thewearers ankle. The

invention is primarily intended for a skate-boot but might be employedas a surgical brace if so desired.

lA further object of the invention is to provide an ankle support for askate-boot Iwhich can be readily applied, and whichwill serve as astiffener for thev back portion of thev upper in a manner to support.orrbrace the wearers ankle and preclude it unduly bending sidewise as isthe natural 'tendency when thev skaters ankles are notI strong. .f

A still further object is to furnish an ankle support which will notvprohibit movement ofthe ankle as is required in skating, and one whichcan be manufactured at low cost. .f v

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a skate and boot showing the preferredform of the invention in applied position.

Fig. 1, laid outflat.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1 but depicting a modified formof the invention.`

Fig. 4 is an aspect of the modification spread out flat.

. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of afurther modied form of the invention.

. `21s Fig. 2 is an aspect of the invention, shown in LikeA numerals ofreference indicate corre- The strip is attached to the 'back of theupper y 'by lines of stitching I4 located medially. of the width of thestrip, which leaves the sides I5 `thereof freely extending outwardly.The strip is sufliciently pliant to conform to the contour of the backof the upper throughout its length, and only contacts the yupper at the.portion medially of its width.

In practice I have found that a strip of leather of the grade used foroutsoles answers the -purpose satisfactorily, buty other materials mayvbe employed, such as metal, plastic or fibre. In lieu of the vstitchingI4 rivets or other approved fastening means may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent from the preceding description that' due to thecross-section 'of 4the strip it will'strongly resist a force tendingtobend it edgewise of its length, and by reason of itsattachmentmedially'of itsr width to the backof the `'boot itwill twistsufciently to accommodate the necessary ankle movement required inskating. i -In the modiiicationj depicted in Figs. 3 and 4 theconstruction presents an ankle *support which is particularly suited fora person 'whose ankles require a very rm bracing. It comprises a memberI6 having arms or wings I'I extending laterally from its upper end. Thisforms a'T- shaped member which is made of stiff material but capable ofbeing bent to a desired degree. The member I6`is a strip similar to thestrip I0 aforesaid and is likewise disposed at the back of the upper andsecured along its medial longitudinal extent by the stitching rI'I orcomparable fastening means.v

The arms or wings I'I are curved forwardly about the upper edge I3 ofthe upper and secured thereto as by stitching I8. By this arrangementthey function to considerably enhance the bracing effect of the anklesupport, andare contiguously engaged with the upper whereas the memberI6 has its side portions free of attachment.

In the rvariant shownin Fig. 5 there is illustrated a strip I9 which maybe employed in place of the strip III aforesaid, and which isconstructed with embedded stiffening ribs 20 of metal or other suitablematerial. The ribs extend longitudinally ofthe strip and are spacedfromeach other. The strip member may be fashioned of two thicknesses of thinflat material secured together as by' adhesive or .other fastening meansand devised to encase the ribs and to be attached to the back of theupper along the medial 1ongitudinal extentas by stitching or comparablemeans. It will be manifest that the modication shown in Figs'. 3 and 4could be reinforced by ribs without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

From the preceding description of my invention it Will be evident thatit provides a servicepensive to manufacture.

What I claim is:

l. In an ankle support for a boot having an I' upper for tting about theankle of a lfoot, said ankle support comprising a. stiiening memberexteriorly applied to the upper and extending upwardly from the back ofthe heel portion to a point above the ankle portion, the portion of 5the stiffening member medially of its width being secured to the upperalong its length and the sides of the stiffening member extending freelyoutwardly.

2. In an ankle support for a boot having an extending upwardly from theheel `portion to a point above the ankle portion, the portion of saidstrip medially of its width being secured to the upper along its lengthleaving the side portions free.

3. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for fitting about theankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiffmaterial of a cross section having a substantially greater width thanthickness, the strip being placed exteriorly of the back of the upperand being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion thatfits about the ankle, and fastening means securing the strip along itslength medially of its Width.

4. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for fitting about theankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiffmaterial of a Cross section having a substantially greater width thanthickness, the strip being placed exteriorly of the back of the upperand 3,5

being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion that tsabout the ankle, said strip being sewn to the upper by a longitudinalline of stitching medially of its width leaving the sides freelyextending outwardly.

5. An ankle support as set forth in claim 1 and in which the stiffeningmember includes a stilfening agent.

6. An ankle support for a boot comprising a stiiT member having asubstantially flat elon- -gated part of a greater width than thicknessadapted to be exteriorly secured medially of its width to the back ofthe boot upper and to extend upwardly from the heel portion thereof tothe upper edge of the leg opening, and arms-o1' wings extendingoutwardly from the said part for attachment to said upper above theankle portion thereof.

'7. An ankle support as set forth'in claim 6 and in which the structureincludes an encased stiffening agent.

8. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for tting about theankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiffmaterial of a cross section having av substantially greater width thanthickness, the stripv being placed exteriorly of the back of the upperand being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion thatfits about the ankle, said strip being sewn to the upper by alongitudinal line of stitching medially of its width, and arms forwardlyextending from the top portion of said strip and sewn to said upper.

MELVILLE G. HUESTON.

